Last year, Leadership Butler County chose to assist Butler County Children and Youth Services (CYS) with their Duffle Bag Project and oversee the proper dispersal of the money collected. Over the past nine years they have worked with a number of United Way Agencies and other worthy causes and found creative ways to fund their projects.

The class of 2012 is keeping the spotlight on children again this year, as they strive to support FIRST IMPRESSIONS. First Impressions, a division of BHS Family Services, located on North Washington Street in Butler, serves the children of our community by providing shoes and clothing at no cost for those who qualify. There are many kids in our area whose families can’t afford some of the most basic items, like a new pair of shoes. This can leave these children with damage to their self-esteem or embarrassment among their peers, creating an overall poor self-image. Leadership Butler County wants to help FIRST IMPRESSIONS increase their inventory so we can help our youth feel confident and put a smile on the faces of these children, like only a new pair of shoes or a new outfit can do.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS has shared with the participants how difficult it has been to come by new shoes and also boys clothing, but the overall needs are broad, including undergarments, socks, shoes, clothes, and coats. Their overall initiative is to raise money for new items, and conduct a drive for new and gently used items, all sizes, for all ages, newborn to teens.

At this time, they are asking for tax-deductible cash donations. Checks payable to New Visions for Butler can be sent to:

Butler County Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 1082, Butler, PA 16003-1082

You can rest assured that every dollar donated will go to the designated charity. Thank You For Caring!

The Class of 2012 thanks the Butler Eagle as they proudly continued their partnership this year through the Butler Eagle Caring At Christmas holiday fundraiser that combined the power of the local newspaper, the expertise of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce and the generosity of our Butler County readers. This holiday tradition and the money raised goes to a different local charity or charities each year in cooperation with Leadership Butler County.